Alain Vigneault is the winningest coach in franchise history, and a stellar bench boss - in my estimation - who will presumably be hired by another NHL franchise in short order. Vigneault's run of success in Vancouver came to a controversial end over the past two seasons, as the coach dealt with significant criticism for a supposed inability to make in-series adjustments during the postseason. I detailed at length what I think are his strengths as a bench boss, and his weaknesses earlier this year.

Rick Bowness and Alain Vigneault have worked together forever, with Bowness generally being responsible for running the defence. It's not a surprise that he's been axed alongside Vigneault, and I'd expect him to surface along with Vigneault whenever Vigneault is tapped for another head coaching position (and I wouldn't be surprised if that happened later this week).

That Newell Brown has been shown the door alongside Bowness and Vigneault is a mild surprise. Hired from Anaheim before the 2010-11 season, Newell Brown ran the power-play and had a significant degree of success in his first two years. That changed this season as Vancouver's power-play shot rate and conversion rate cratered, finishing the season among the bottom ten teams in the league. Despite the power-plays struggles this past season, Newell's track record was relatively solid and I thought there was a chance that he'd remain on the staff even if the other two coaches got the pink slip. Apparently not.

Attention now turns to who will succeed Vigneault as Vancouver's head-coach. I expect we'll cover the team's search for a new head coach ad nauseum over the coming week.

Thomas Drance lives in Toronto, eats spicy food and writes about hockey. He is the editor in chief of the Nation Network (a.k.a Overlord), and an opinionated blowhard to boot. You can follow him on twitter @thomasdrance.

I remember reading something about Larry Robinson not wanting another head coaching gig. He would be a great choice, even if they can pry him away from SJ to be an assistant...or whatever role he wanted.

The decision to fire Vigneault is both arguable and debatable but the appearance that Tony Gallagher, Ben Kuzma, Jason Botchford and The Vancouver Province are now making the management decisions for the Vancouver Canucks is, in my opinion, extremely disturbing and distasteful. arguments can be made on both sides of this issue but the perception that a Vancouver Province inspired popularity contest cost the winningest coach in franchise history his job is very bad optics.

Meh, that is always going to be the case when a coach or GM is fired. In every hockey market everywhere, there is always going to be some sports writer(s) calling for the head of the coach or GM. I bet the Detroit press was probably calling for Babcock's head back when they were sitting outside the playoff picture.

So When it inevitably happens, as it always will, some of the media gets to crow a bit about being right.

The flip side is you can't not make a move in the fear it has bad optics such as this.

If I were the Oilers I would be on the phone right now trying to hire AV.

You might have a point.

Speaking as an Oiler fan living on Vancouver Island (and so I follow the Canucks a bit by default), I would have to say that this was a poor move. In Edmonton we watched coach after coach get fired, but nothing changed because the GM was the problem.

I believe you have a similar issue in Vancouver.

Vancouver is really hard to score against, and I believe that is the coaches primary job. Being able to score relies more on personnel on the ice, and that is the GM's job. Secondary scoring has been a problem for Vancouver for two years, and nothing has been done about it.

I think you will see a significant dip in regular season performance with AV out of the picture.

Okay Gillis, well done (finally!). Now, Aquilini, do your job and fire Gillis. Try to get the assistant GM from the Pens for the job. Next, try to get Mike Babcock once the Red Wings are done in the play-offs. Then things would start to look up as Jason Botterill would be a great and experienced addition to our front office. Mike Babcock needs no words.

What took so long?! This team cannot bear down when it needs to. Cannot adjust. Cannot control play on the boards or in front of the net. In my opinion, Gillis has one more year before he gets the gate. Schneider needs to wake up and earn the #1 job. Lastly, this team is not that young anymore. Look for some moves this off season.

Well, I don;t mind if the Canucks do worse in the regular season. Sick and tired of watching those clowns make the play offs only to play like a bunch of whinos. The saying is, " if you're not able to dance, than don't even bother going tot he damn prom!"